Highlights of Sumpu Castle
①Kitamon Bridge
Let’s lower the roof of Aoibune and pass under the bridge!
Colored with Sakura cherry blossoms in spring
Many kinds of cherry blossoms are in full bloom, including someiyoshino!
A fantastic space where the cherry blossoms jutting out from the stone wall and reflected on the water surface.
②Ninomaru Waterway
The Ninomaru Waterway connects Honmarubori and Ninomarubori with many bends.
It is believed to be one of the castle’s defenses rather than a channel for transporting goods.
③Crenels on the Higashi Gomon east gate
There was a hole in the earthen wall above the stone wall called ‘Hasama’, which was used to attack from the inside with bows and arrows and guns.
By setting gaps along the curved stone wall, it is possible to attack in multiple directions.
④Higashi Gomon east gate
⑤Tatsumi Yagura watchtower viewed from the boat
⑥Hitsujisaru Yagura
⑦Ishi-otoshi stone drop windows at the Hitsujisaru Yagura watchtower
Hitsujisaru Yagura
Ishi-otoshi stone drop windows at the Hitsujisaru Yagura watchtower
When you come near Kon Yagura, you feel like you are surrounded by a stone wall that is higher than around the Higashigomon. This is because the elevation on the west side is higher than on the east side. Assuming that the enemy will attack from a higher place, Sunpu Castle is heavily defended on the west side. From the boat, you can look up at the stone removal, which is one of the ingenuity.
Stone walls have stood for 400 years
Heart-shaped “Inome-ishi” stone, a symbol ofprotection fromevil spirits
Let’s find out! A heart-shaped talisman, Inomeishi. Find it near “Ninomaru Gomonzeki” and “Kon Yagura”!
Stone markings/Ya-ana markings
Stone markings: Said to mark the workshops of feudal lords and craftsmen
Ya-ana markings: Marks of wedges used to split stones
*Ieyasu Tokugawa ordered daimyos from all over Japan to carry out large-scale renovation work on Sumpu Castle.